New program is positive but doesn’t replace the GRR

February 6, 2015

(Halifax, NS) NDP Leader Maureen MacDonald says she is hopeful the Graduate to Opportunity program announced today will prove successful. However, the Liberal government needs to do much more to support graduates.

She argues the $1.6 million announced today comes nowhere near replacing $50 million the Liberals took away from graduates when they cut the Graduate Retention Rebate(GRR) last fall.

“This program is similar to the START program created in August of 2013 and I think it has some potential,” says MacDonald. “But it really is minor compared to the millions the Premier took out of the pockets of graduates when he cut the GRR. As a result of that Liberal cut many households are facing a big hit on their tax return this spring.”